Lehi officer gets life-saving award for off-duty heroics

In February, after eating with his family at the Del Taco on Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, Lehi police officer James Skinner noticed a man on the ground. The 34-year-old man wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a heartbeat. Skinner started CPR while waiting for paramedics, and continued the compressions until emergency responders were ready with equipment to shock the man’s heart, said Lehi Police Chief Chad Smith.

The man survived, and this week Lehi City gave Skinner its Life Saving award, which he now will wear as part of his uniform above his name tag. A second award will be kept in the city’s trophy display.

Smith said Skinner was the No. 1 police cadet in the nation when Lehi hired him, and he did exactly what Smith would have expected.

“I expect that from my guys,” he said. “I expect them to do whatever they have to do to keep the area safe — on duty or off, I don’t care.”

Lehi Mayor Bert Wilson said the city thanked Skinner for his service.

“I’m sure his family appreciates it,” Wilson said of the man Skinner saved. “I’m proud to have you working for the city of Lehi.”

It’s amazing to see Lehi’s police and firefighters in action, said Lehi Councilman Chris Condie. “I just want to give my hats off to all you guys.”

Amie Rose has more than 14 years of experience writing and editing at newspapers in Utah and New Mexico. She graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism. She lives in Utah Valley with her husband, toddler and crazy dog.